Name: Maria Trautmann
Age: 38
Location: Wellington, Western Cape.
What do you do?
I am an interior designer and violinist for Newton & Co band.
What else do you do?
Hobbies are seen as a luxury at this stage with two small children. All my time is spent with them.
YOU AND SLEEKGEEK
How long have you been a member of Sleekgeek?
I have been a member for around two years.
How did you find Sleekgeek?
I am actually unsure… I think a friend commented on some content and I saw it and was really inspired and loved the message of the group!
What is your favorite part of the Sleekgeek Community?
My favourite part is the support this group offers its members. It is tough out there and it is so important to have a safe group where everyone shares and cares!
YOUR TRANSFORMATION
Describe the “old you” before you made your transformation. How did you get there and what were you like?
The old me was a new mom that had two babies very close together. This really took its toll physically. I was really stuck in bad eating habits eating unhealthy foods and drinks and was not active enough. I was definitely not sleeping enough!
What ignited your initial motivation to change?
Someone snapped a photo of me and I didn’t recognize myself in the photo. Then I caught my reflection and I really didn’t like what I saw.
There was a tipping point where I knew I and only I would be able to make the commitment to change.
Physically the strain of carrying the extra weight gave me back and leg pain. I was constantly at risk of having my back going into spasm. When you have little children this is a very massive set back.
What are some of the things that the new you does differently now?
I have used the approach that I had to transform physically in the rest of my life. My business my family etc.
I have proved to myself that I can stay disciplined and committed to the transformation. The results are proof of this! To stay focused and to be prepared.
This has been life-changing in every respect!
What are some of the things that the new you still struggles with?
To be kinder to myself. I will always keep setting new goals to never to back to where I was! I like to push and to challenge myself.
If you could give yourself 1 piece of advice to help with that struggle, what would it be?
Learn to love yourself in your own skin however wrinkly it gets.
Did you plateau, get stuck, or get disillusioned, or even slide backwards a bit on your journey?
Yes, I have been on a plateau and got stuck for the past few months. Mentally it is challenging to see loads of results and then to stagnate.
The advice that got me through it is: Stick to the basics, don’t overthink it and make better food choices.
What is better since you got healthy?
Everything is better, my relationship, my confidence, my endurance and most certainly my overall health.
TRAINING
What’s your favorite form of exercise? [Running, yoga, weightlifting, etc.]
My favourite is Piloxing, Barre, Zumba, walking and free weights
How long have you been training and how did you get started?
I have been training for two years. The day I decided I needed to change I went to my first Piloxing class and I have never looked back.
What does your typical workout look like?
SSP Piloxing is a new movement. We wear weighted gloves for the duration of class which definitely amps up the heart rate. It is a combination of boxing, dance and standing Pilates. I do 4 times a week and then at home I try and add in extra free weights and HIIT workouts.
Favorite exercise? [Distance / pose / movement / etc]
Movement
Least favorite exercise? [Distance / pose / movement / etc]
Distance
How does exercise make you feel?
Exercise is de-stressing and invigorating! My life is better when I am active! It is something I do for myself and I am lucky enough to have an amazing group of ladies that I get to train with.
Do you prefer to train alone or with others? Why?
I would say both! I love doing classes and have the support and network of people that it offers. I also like to be super focused and push myself when I train alone (or these days with kids sitting on top of me when I try and train at home).
Most embarrassing training moment?
Being in front of the class and not seeing the rest of class or hear trainers call to stop and I carried on in boxing block.
The whole class stopped and then let me go on until I realized hahaha! It was very blind but at least it made people laugh I suppose.
Top 3 things you must have at the gym or in your gym bag?
- Water
- Towel
- Gloves
Your next training goal?
My goal is to drop a few kgs to look leaner and toned going into summer. I always push to become stronger and maintain.
Top 5 songs on your training playlist?
- Come with me – Black coffee
- Teenage Crime – Adrian Lux
- Dopamine – Veranda Panda
- Swing – Sofi Tukker
- Be someone – CamelPhat & Jake Bugg
- Work it out – A-Trak
How has exercise/training/Sport changed your life? [Made it better, etc – please be specific]
Being active has absolutely changed my life! I have a lot more energy and stamina to keep up with the crazy pace of life and schedule.
I am 38 with two small kids so being able to play and run and not get out of breath or injure myself is worth every minute I spend training and being disciplined.
I feel amazing which has given me loads more confidence in performing in my job. I have taken more risks and become more of a go-getter.
NUTRITION
What’s your favourite meal?
Good old slow-cooked bolognese sauce with spaghetti.
OK, now what’s your favourite healthy meal?
Roasted chickpeas, sweet potato, mixed veg, olives and nice spice mix. My go-to!
Favourite protein? I am currently on wheat-free sugar-free dairy-free diet so I have been using collagen instead of protein.
Favourite fat?
Cheese, nuts, avo.
Favourite carbohydrate?
Pasta but I limit it to special occasions. I get my carbs in vegetables.
What’s your nutrition philosophy / approach? [If you have one]
I always start shopping in the fruit and veg aisles. I fill the trolley there! I avoid the sweet junk area and only add very few cheat treats. Each meal must have fresh elements and protein.
How many meals a day do you eat?
I have 3 meals a day.
Do you have a cheat meal / treat strategy?
The closer I am to my goal I find I am not as strict with my diet. If I do have cheat items I make sure it is minimal quantity. So instead of not allowing myself anything I have small quantities keeps the binging or going off the rails in check
MINDSET
Most memorable personal best achievement to date. Something you maybe never imagined you could do?
Being invited to be a guest instructor on the Piloxing instructor team for a woman’s day event. I had to go up on stage and join the team to lead the event. It was a blast!
Favourite quote?
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”’
– Aristotle
Favourite book?
“Power of Now.”
– Eckhart Tolle
What inspires and motivates you?
I am inspired by the team of woman I train with. We are a mixture of sizes and ages. The strength that we have collectively has pushed me to be better in all aspects of life.
I am motivated to be the best that I can be for my children!
For what are you most grateful?
I am so grateful for my family, for the support structure I have around me. I am filled with lots of things that money can’t buy!
What do you want to say to other community members who might be nervous or hesitant to make a start?
It will be hard! There will be a transition period where you will have to rewire your brain and change all the old patterns that haven’t been serving you. We are creatures of habit so make sure your habits are healthy habits. It is not something that can be changed in a day!
You have to set small goals and celebrate them. It is a life long commitment to yourself to be your best version. It will be hard and it will be worth it!
Don’t even hesitate the only day to start is today not Monday not after this occasion making healthy choices starts today. It is a decision you will make with every meal, every snack and every drink that passes your lips.
What are your top 5 tips for anyone starting on a healthy journey?
Set goals and be accountable and truthful with yourself. If you find yourself eating that ice cream or the slab of chocolate it is ok! Enjoy every bite.
Be present! But stay on track after.
It is a journey and it not just for health but is an inner makeover as well.
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